DISCLAIMER: I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura or Harry Potter. I may include real-life characters in my story, such as lyrics from non-fictional musicians, fashion brands, etc. After all, that's the fun of writing fanfiction, isn't it?
ENJOY!
Chapter 6: His Song
It was a typical evening in the Great Hall, filled with the usual chatter and clattering of cutlery. I sat at the Gryffindor table, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the nightly packages. It was always an exciting time, with students receiving letters, sweets, and sometimes even magical items from their families. Tonight, however, there was an air of anticipation that seemed to hang heavier than usual.
As the packages began to arrive, I couldn't help but notice the large parcel that appeared in front of Eriol. His friends eagerly urged him to open it, curious about its contents.
"Come on, Eriol, what's in the box?" James, Albus's brother, prodded, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
With a slight smile, he carefully unwrapped the package, revealing an acoustic guitar nestled within. Alongside the instrument was a note from his father, offering words of encouragement and support. I watched the scene unfold with a warm smile.
"Go on, Eriol, play us a tune!" one of his friends urged, nudging him playfully.
"Nah. This guitar has not been properly tuned. Later. There is no occasion for a performance," Eriol answered.
Amidst the anticipation, I couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness when Professor McGonagall announced the prefects for each house.
"And for Gryffindor Prefect, we have…" Professor McGonagall paused for effect, her gaze sweeping across the room. "Eriol Hiiragizawa!"
The Great Hall erupted into cheers and applause, and I couldn't contain my excitement. Eriol, a prefect! It was a momentous occasion, and I couldn't have been happier for him.
But as the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation, one of Eriol's friends pushed him to seize the moment. "This is the occasion, mate," James urged, a mischievous grin on his face. "You've got to celebrate!"
With a resigned smile, he relented, quickly tuning the instrument with a flick of his wand. Then, to my surprise and delight, he stepped forward. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as he positioned himself at the front of the room, bathed in the soft glow of torchlight.
With a single strum, the haunting chords of "Take Me to Church" filled the hall, sending a collective shiver down our spines. Eriol's voice, deep and resonant, wrapped around us like a velvet cloak, pulling us into the depths of the song's haunting melody.
I closed my eyes, letting the music wash over me, feeling each note resonate within my soul. I was sure that everyone in the hall felt the same chill down their spine as I did, swept away by the haunting beauty of Eriol's performance.
The lyrics of the song, infused with passion and longing, seemed to echo off the stone walls, casting a spell over everyone present.
Take me to church,
I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
Eriol sang, his voice carrying a raw intensity that sent shivers down my spine.
I'll tell you my sins
and you can sharpen your knife,
offer me that deathless death."
As the song reached its crescendo, I felt myself drawn deeper into its embrace, lost in the haunting magic of the moment. When the final note hung in the air, lingering like a ghostly whisper, I opened my eyes to find myself spellbound by the raw emotion that had filled the room. For a moment, no one moved, no one spoke, as if caught in the spell of Eriol's music.
Then, slowly, the spell broke, and the hall erupted into applause. Students cheered, their voices filled with awe and admiration for the mesmerizing performance they had just witnessed. Even Professor McGonagall wore a rare smile, clearly impressed by Eriol's talent.
Eriol himself seemed to come back to reality, his expression shifting from intense focus to a more relaxed demeanor. He glanced around at the sea of faces before him, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.
For my part, I couldn't tear my gaze away from him. The memory of his performance lingered in the air like a haunting melody, echoing in the depths of my mind. And though I couldn't deny the envy that tugged at my heart, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and admiration for the boy who had captured the attention of everyone in the room with his music.
As the applause died down and the hall returned to its usual buzz of activity, I found myself lost in thought, pondering the meaning behind Eriol's song and the emotions it had stirred within me. And as I watched him, a glimmer of hope flickered in my heart, wondering if perhaps, just perhaps, the song was meant for me after all.
I couldn't shake thoughts of Eriol from my mind; they consumed me. Reflecting on Eriol's 'fan-service' had shown me this school year, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. First, his unwavering affection towards his mother was a clear sign of his character—a trait I deeply admired in a person. Then, there was his DM. Oh, dear God, my heart nearly burst with joy! Though our meeting didn't come to fruition, he surprised me with a fabulous gift. Holy moly, it meant everything to me! I pondered over his choice, wondering if it was a deliberate selection or simply a random pick. Regardless, the gesture was a delightful surprise, leaving me to marvel at his thoughtfulness. Even the simplest gift—a set of beautiful hair accessories—was a testament to his care. It fueled a glimmer of hope within me, suggesting the possibility of something more between us. Especially after hearing his heartfelt song last night, a rare gift of his longing for love and devotion.
But then reality hit me like a ton of bricks. 'Stupid Tomoyo,' I chided myself, 'he is from a pureblood, affluent wizard family. You're not a suitable match for him—he's out of reach.' I knew deep down that I stood no chance. Cinderella tales were just that—fairy tales. Even if they existed, the clock would strike midnight, and I'd be left facing the harsh reality that no prince would look twice at a commoner like me. Cinderella's story sounded more like a fleeting romance, a one-night stand that fades into memory once the sun rises. But if Eriol were to ask for such a thing, I couldn't help but entertain the thought, if only for a fleeting moment. After all, even a brief touch would be worth it.
In my mind's eye, I couldn't help but conjure an image of Eriol's physique—the way his broad shoulders filled out his robes, the strength evident in his arms as he wielded his wand, and the way his dark hair fell with curtain bangs framing his face. Envisioning his touch lingered on my skin sending shivers down my spine as I imagined the warmth of his hand against mine, his presence enveloping me in a sense of security and longing. It was a dangerous fantasy, one I knew I should suppress, but it was impossible to resist.
"Aaaaarrghhhh," I groaned, staring at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. 'What am I thinking? Pervert!' I scolded myself once again.
I descended to the common room, determined to shake off my intrusive thoughts. "Oh heavens, have mercy on me!" I silently pleaded. To my astonishment, the object of my fantasies was standing alone in the early morning light, attending to the announcement board. It seemed I wasn't the only early riser among us. 'A bit too early for delusions, Tomoyo,' I gently scolded myself.
As he stood, engrossed in his task, I couldn't help but steal glances, my imagination painting vivid pictures of his presence. 'Heavenly powers, help me resist!' I silently implored. My mind, influenced by countless K-pop music videos, dared to compare, but in truth, Eriol eclipsed them all. He embodied a refined, elevated version of those impeccably groomed idols I'd seen, an irresistible blend of allure and grace.
Then, unexpectedly, the cherry on top of his fan service appeared: he turned to see me, realizing he wasn't alone. "Good morning, Daidouji," he greeted me with a smile.
He spoke to me. He actually talked to me. My mind turned to mush. It took every ounce of energy, equivalent to the power of fusion, to maintain my composure. "Good morning, Hiiragizawa," I managed to reply, attempting to smile without seeming too awkward. Taking small steps towards him next to the board, I tried my best not to act foolish in his presence. "What are you doing?"
"I'm putting up an announcement", he answered. 'Of course he was, you foolish Tomoyo!' I scolded myself internally. I was completely out of character today. Silly and scatterbrained.
Glancing at the announcement board to avoid meeting his gaze, I couldn't bear the intensity of my earlier fantasies about him. The announcement outlined how the Prefects would oversee and ensure compliance with standard operating procedures and safety measures at Hogwarts. "Occupational Health and Safety?" I muttered.
"Come again?" he asked, clearly puzzled.
"This announcement about procedures and safety measures. In the Muggle world, we call it OHS, Occupational Health and Safety. Since we don't have spells to prevent falls or immobilize, safety measures in the workplace are crucial."
As we walked together to the Great Hall for breakfast, I took the opportunity to explain to Eriol about Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). I elaborated on how it pertained to ensuring the safety and well-being of students during extracurricular activities, especially those involving flying and magical practices.
Eriol nodded attentively, absorbing the information. Then, to my surprise, he mentioned that he would have to personally oversee some extracurricular activities, including my tutoring sessions. My heart fluttered with a mix of happiness and nervousness. On one hand, I was glad to have his presence and guidance, but on the other hand, I felt a surge of anxiety at the thought of being scrutinized during my tutoring sessions with Albus and Scorpios.
"Do you mean my tutoring sessions as well?" I asked tentatively, trying to mask my apprehension.
"Yes," Eriol confirmed with a reassuring smile. "I'll be there to observe and ensure everything runs smoothly."
I couldn't help but feel a sense of pressure knowing that Eriol would be watching. However, deep down, I also felt grateful for his support and guidance. With determination, I resolved to make the most of this opportunity to showcase my skills and dedication as a tutor.
